Charles L. "Charlie" Lee

Rev. Charles L. "Charlie" Lee, 79, of Springfield, passed from this life on Friday evening April 13, 2012 at St. John's Hospice in the presence of his family and friends.

Charlie was born December 12, 1932, in Xenia, IL, the son of Arvel Lee and Lera Lee Pearson. He married Cleo Boyer on December 20, 1953. He is survived by his beloved wife of 58 years, Cleo; a son, Michael (Laurie) Lee of Beaver Dam, WI; two daughters, Tjode Tomsu of Waukesha, WI and Kristy (Bruce) Siegel of Buffalo Grove, IL; seven grandchildren: Keren Orr, Anna Tomsu, Brandon Lee, Kyle Lee, Brett Siegel, Todd Siegel, and Scott Siegel; two brothers, Roger (Janet) Pearson of Little Rock, AK and James Pearson of Pittsburg, PA; one sister-in-law, Laura Furkin of Springfield, IL; one niece and six nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents.

After graduating from Flora (IL) High School in 1950, Charlie attended the University of Illinois for two years, then attended Lincoln Christian University, receiving his Bachelor's degree in 1956 and Master's degree in 1974.

Charlie held ministries at the Christian Church of Witt (IL) and Shoals (IN) Christian Church. He and his family moved to Springfield in November 1962 where he joined the staff at West Side Christian Church as Associate Minister. He held that position for 35 years and a part-time ministry at West Side for 5 more years retiring in 1997. He then was a part-time associate with Bisch Funeral Homes. Charlie was active in the TNT Class, Charlie's "Angels", and Faithful Men's Chorus at West Side; he was a volunteer at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library & Museum and a Docent at the Executive Mansion. Charlie was also a member of Springfield Lodge#4 AF&AM, the Springfield Consistory and the Ansar Shrine.

Charlie loved and served the Lord and His church faithfully; he cherished his wife and family. Charlie fully enjoyed living life, people, traveling, anything John Deere, NASCAR, and working in his beautiful yard. He was a sincere, humble man who never realized the number of lives he touched; he will be greatly missed by all who loved him.

Visitation will be held Wednesday, April 18, 2012 at West Side Christian Church from 4-7 pm., with funeral services at the church on Thursday, April 19, 2012 at 10:00 am. Eddie Lowen, Lead Minister officiating. Burial will follow in Oak Ridge Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to West Side Christian Church or Lake Springfield Christian Assembly.

Please visit the online "Life Remembered Story" at www.bischfuneralhomewest.com where tributes and condolences may be left for the family. Arrangements are under the direction of Bisch Funeral Home West 544-5424.